How to get 3 year old to hurry up in the morning

[maloney123]

I really really need some advice on how to get my 3 year old ready in the morning! I am currently on mat leave with my 10 month old but will be back at work soon. My husband works early shifts so it’s just me in the mornings. It’s currently taking approx 2-2 and a half hours to get ready and to nursery for drop off in the mornings (getting her up at 7.30 and dropping her off around 9.30 on a good day)!! Every single step of the way she delays, wants to play, read, chat - basically anything but get ready. She’s a very emotional child and if I try to hurry her up or get irritable this can trigger 10 minutes of crying. She also loves routine and is very attached to her current routine, any changes I’ve tried to make to save time get her very upset. Me and the baby are fine, we can be ready in no time, but I have no clue what I’m going to do when back at work and in the office for 9am!

@maloney123 we have had loads of add ons over the years. At one point a game of hide and seek before bed developed, another time was dh telling a story using funny voices. It seems like a nice thing then suddenly it's a routine.

It works for us to do the teeth brush/dress in one swoop. It might work better for you if there is little gaps between activities .

A big key is accepting that it's not quick. You might shave sometime off but your child needs processing time between activities so if you can get a routine you are happy with it will be a lot easier on both of you.